Valerie Bertinelli Speaks on Bonnie Franklin's Death

“Hot In Cleveland” star Valerie Bertinelli has released a statement regarding the death of “One Day at a Time” actress Bonnie Franklin.

"My heart is breaking,” Bertinelli said. “Bonnie has always been one of the most important women in my life and was a second mother to me. The years on ‘One Day at a Time’ were some of the happiest of my life, and along with Pat [Harrington Jr.] and Mackenzie [Phillips] we were a family in every way. She taught me how to navigate this business and life itself with grace and humor, and to always be true to yourself. I will miss her terribly."

Franklin died at the age of 69 last Friday from complications with pancreatic cancer. She was surrounded by friends and family members at her Los Angeles home.

“One Day at a Time” was a groundbreaking show for women. Franklin’s character Ann Romano was a single woman raising two teenage daughters (played by Bertinelli and Mackenzie Phillips), while trying to maintain a career and love life. The role earned Franklin an Emmy nomination.

The show struggled to bring light to heavy issues for women like sexual harassment, rape, and menopause. Franklin’s character was a strong and independent role model for women in the 70’s and 80’s.

“I know it’s just a television show, and I don’t think that I am changing the way the world is structured,” Frankline said. However “sometimes we strike chords that do make people think a bit.”

Franklin was also an experienced singer. She won a Tony nomination for Broadway’s “Applause.”

She also appeared in “Gidget,” “The Munsters,” “The Man From U.N.C.L.E.” and “Please Don’t Eat the Daisies.”